When Coy Reed purchased his 1970s contemporary-styled home overlooking the Quail Creek Golf and Country Club golf course, he could definitely see the potential — on the outside. He could picture admiring sunsets and dining in the backyard with his four kids. The pool and hot tub were appealing, as were the hilly, tree-lined views.
The home’s potential on the inside, with its dark woods, orange tile and mirrored walls, was a little harder to picture. So, Reed invited interior designer Justin Venk to come over.
“When I first walked in, I was like, ‘Well, this is going to be bigger than me just picking out some furniture,’” Venk recalled. “This home is kind of unique in its own right. Yes, it needed a ton of work, but it was the only one with this view and this outdoor space.”
The founder and principal designer of 14 and Co. Design Studio was instrumental in reinventing the home, from floors to fixtures. Carpets and tile floors were replaced with white oak throughout. Window treatments were removed and 16-foot sliding doors were installed, opening up the living room to the outside views. A gray wash was applied to the rock walls to knock down bright orange tones.
The “modern mountain home,” as Venk called it, required interior designs that embrace the split-level layout as well as the aesthetic of the stone walls throughout the home. Venk applied modern design concepts — clean lines and a black-and-white palette — to complement the home’s contemporary architecture and natural elements. He selected the art and furniture and designed custom lighting, too. Bringing Venk into the project was “the best thing we did,” Reed said.
“Justin did everything. I think pretty much the only conversation we had was like, ‘You don’t really even need to ask me; you just tell me,’” said Reed, with a laugh.
“One of my better clients,” Venk added, smiling. “He was pretty open. I don’t know if we had too many changes, whereas most clients you have at least a couple of revisions.”
In the entry, a clunky staircase was replaced with a modern floating style, and new cable railings were installed to reinforce an airy feel. In addition, a wall was removed to increase natural light.
“This house just lends itself to the outside coming in. You can bring color in from the outside just by having all of this natural light and glass,” Venk said.
A signature of 14 and Co., Venk creates custom light fixtures for every interior design project he undertakes. In the Reed family home, his lighting designs include the kitchen sconces, entry chandelier and dining room fixture.
“They’re all a little more geometric and kind of simple because of all the rock,” Venk said, adding that the walls add texture and natural warmth to the home.
Renovations wrapped up in spring 2023. Since then, Reed said, he has enjoyed the inside of his home as much as the outside. He loves the “black but not dreary” kitchen and his cozy bedroom retreat. He also loves lounging with his kids on the oversized living room sectional, which offers ample seating.
With a modern design edge, surrounded by sunsets and stone, this home has reached its potential, said Reed: “I wouldn’t change a thing.”
